Rafael Nadal withdraws from 2017 ATP Finals after loss to David Goffin

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The Sports Xchange

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot from Kevin Anderson of South Africa during their championship match in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the 2017 US Open Tennis Championships at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on September 10, 2017. File photo by Ray Stubblebine/UPI | License Photo

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal withdrew from the ATP Finals with a knee injury shortly after he was upset in his opening match by David Goffin on Monday in London.

Nadal, who has been dealing with tendinitis in his right knee, rallied before dropping a 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-4 decision to Goffin.

"I'm not ready to play," Nadal said after the match. "I fought a lot knowing it was my last match of the season. But my commitment was to try. I've missed this event too many times in my career."

Countryman Pablo Carreno Busta, an alternate, will take the place of Nadal, who admitted prior to the tournament that his knee was "not perfect." The injury also forced Nadal to withdraw from the Paris Masters earlier this month.

"It was a tough fight until the end. Rafa is one of the strongest players mentally on the tour," Goffin said after the two-hour, 36-minute match. "I am so happy to finally find the key to win this match. It is so special to do it here.

Thiem double-faulted twice in the 11th game of the decisive set against Bulgarian, who then closed out the match on his serve. Dimitrov broke Thiem three times.

"It, for me, was just one of those new experiences that I think I'm going to remember for the rest of my life, I think appreciate for the rest of my life," Dimitrov said. "This is where I always wanted to be at, among the top players, also being able to come through in my first match, it's only positive."